FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

"You stink," Hera said and cleared her throat when it came out more like a breathless whisper. "You reek of sweat," she tried again. Her pretty face scrunched in a pretended disgust as she attempted to lighten the ruined moment. She gawked while Hunter ran his fingers through his hair, combing it back over his forehead. It promptly fell back. 

His hair had grown longer, almost reaching his collarbone, and the fringe in the front covered his eyes. The wolf haircut looked so splendid on him. He looked so handsome, Hera felt the urge to pull him back into her arms and kiss him, but she couldn't muster the courage to do it after so stupidly rejecting his advances. 

Hera let out a nervous giggle and watched him turn his back to her. An awkward silence stretched as no other words got exchanged between them. He threw the towel hanging around his neck into the hamper and grabbed a fresh one from the closet before choosing his outfit to wear. 

As he made it to the bathroom door, he frowned and turned to look at Hera, his eyes scanning the wet spots on the shiny, elegant marble floor.. 

"Please try to dry yourself first before leaving the bathroom. It not only gets the floor dirty but also someone may slip and get hurt," Hunter said, his voice sounding calm and tone matter-of-factly. Yet, Hera detected the pinch of anger dusting over his words. 

'Oh, so the "I'm not upset with you" look was just a pretence. Of course, I should've known.' 

Hera felt offended because Hunter chose to act nonchalant instead of addressing the issue that bothered him. He didn't have to hide his feelings from her if her actions had hurt him somehow. They could talk and remedy it, right? She wouldn't deny him anything if he asked her. 

She couldn't hide the resentment in her voice when she spoke. 

"For someone who lectures me about manners with every passing second, you surely need to learn one or two things about knocking before breaching someone's personal space," Hera retorted indignantly. Hunter scoffed at her reply, not at all impressed. "Nobody taught me that I'm supposed to knock before entering my own bedroom. Oh, what a pity!" he countered, pretending to be ashamed. 

Hera glared at his clever comeback while her boyfriend smirked in satisfaction. "Besides, it's not about manners. It's just common sense which you lack obviously," he stated, tone a bit too arrogant for Hera's liking. Before she could say something in reply, he disappeared into the bathroom, locking the door. 

Grinding her teeth in utter frustration, Hera got dressed. She wore a simple white short-sleeved crop top with denim blue jeans, and she completed her looks with Hunter's grey hoodie she stole from his wardrobe. After brushing her hair with the hairbrush, she wore the black elastic ribbon headband. 

She packed all her birthday gifts carefully into her backpack and carried the giant teddy bear in her arms before escaping from Hunter's bedroom. 

Downstairs, in the dining hall, Hera met everyone and greeted them with a mumble of good morning. Jessica had prepared simple toast sandwiches for everyone, and Hera gulped the food down her throat without waiting for Hunter. She enjoyed sipping the too sweet hot chocolate. 

She choked on the sweet drink when she saw Hunter descending the stairs. 

'What the actual fuck!' 

Hera's face flushed red for multiple reasons. 

"Are you okay there, Pixie?" Eric asked in a concerned tone while he rubbed her back. Hera nodded wordlessly and sat straight in her chair. 

Hunter pulled a chair for himself and sat opposite Hera. They were facing each other, but the girl lowered her head, avoiding eyes. 

'Oh, thank God for the hoodie. What a relief!'

If not for Hunter's hoodie covering the upper half of her body, she would be facing the scrutinising judgmental stares from everyone by now because they had dressed in matching attires unknowingly. Like Hera, Hunter wore a white V-neck plain T-shirt with blue denim, and he had fixed his long hair with a black stretch headband. 

Their hair was almost of the same length, and their hairstyle was similar as well. Hera could bet they look-alike like that.

'Couple dressing, I see.'

Hera thought bitterly and rolled her eyes inwardly. 

She chewed the bread with utmost care while trying not to make any noise. When she noticed Hunter was busy conversing with his friends, she peeked a glance at him. He always knew when she secretly stared at him, but the devil chose to ignore her this time, and the not so pleasant gesture only irked her more. 

Hera left for school with Hunter's friends while he stayed back because Mathew wanted to speak to him about something important and urgent. So Hera and Hunter didn't get the chance to resolve their bitterness. 

When Hera reached her room in the dormitory, she found her cousin Abigail waiting for her at the door. She pulled Hera into a tight hug which Hera gladly returned while they both admitted how much they missed each other. 

Abigail took Hera to her room. Sitting on the bed, her cousin handed the present wrapped in a white glittering gift wrap. "Here's your birthday gift, Hera. Tell me if you like it or not," Abigail said, urging Hera to open it. 

The gift inside pleased her so much that a huge grin appeared on Hera's delighted face. It was a rectangular treasure chest jewellery box with a lock. Little red glass stars decorated the lid of the wooden box at its edges, and a soft satin cloth covered the insides of the box. 

"Abby, I love it. It's so beautiful and the perfect useful gift," Hera said, hugging her cousin and thanking her. 

Hera was excited to show all her gifts to her cousin. "And Danny gave this to me," she said, holding the teddy bear in her arms. Abigail's smile dropped at the mention of Danny's name, but before Hera could raise her doubts and questions, Abby reminded her that they were getting late for school. 

Hera reluctantly nodded and decided to let go of the issue for now. She made a mental note to speak to her about it after school. 

Hera filled the treasure chest box with her mother's platinum chain, Hunter's gifted necklace, bracelet and earrings. She placed Evelyn's bridal hairpin inside along with Michael's watch. 

Hera thought of wearing the watch, but then she remembered Michael's words. He said not to lose it, and she valued his sentiments. So to keep it safe, she deposited it inside the box. Lastly, she took out the money from her purse, her first token of blessings from any elder. She thought of the stranger she met at the school's luncheon bar. 

'Mr Johnathan.'

She remembered him and smiled to herself. She dropped the money given by Johnathan inside the chest before locking it. 

That was how Hera valued her gifts. Instead of wearing or using them, she would keep them safe and secure. 

"My own little treasure," she said more to herself and hugged the box to her chest, gratitude shining in her forest-green eyes. Abby smiled at her cousin, understanding her emotions.